SW Iowa Times

The Page County Property Rights coalition recently held a meeting to explore the impact of potential large-scale wind energy development in the area, according to The Daily Nonpareil. 

Speakers were present to comment on issues related to the construction and operation of wind turbines on rural properties.

Ronni Scott, a retired pharmacist and a former member of the Madison County Board of Health reviewed the health effects of living near the turbines and said that along with the audible noise caused by the turning of the turbine blades, the structures also produce what is known as “infrasound” which can cause individuals to develop a type of “acoustic disease."

Scott added that the “shadow flicker” caused from blades passing in front of the sun at different times during the day can be disorienting, as well as the lights on top of the turbines at night.

Adair County residents have reported that noise from the local turbines make it difficult to sleep and that they can feel vibrations on their ears.

Nicholas Scar of Iowa Realty in West Des Moines discussed the effects that wind turbines have on property values. 

He reports that values have declined by up to 45% in some cases and that nearby wind turbines make properties harder to sell. Property values are also adversely affected by construction of the structures which have been linked to reduced water quality and increased pollution on nearby land.

Resident Jane Stimson said representatives of wind energy companies have been contacting Page County residents to get landowners to sign easements for the placement of turbines.

She said that the representatives tell residents that their neighbors are signing up, when that actually may not be the truth.